Remote communication system

Abstract

In one embodiment, an underground communication system is described. The system includes a low to medium frequency transmitter and a plurality of receivers. The transmitter comprises an output coupler and a signal selection unit. The transmitter is operable to generate a low to medium frequency signal. Each of the plurality of receivers includes an antenna and at least one sensory output unit. The plurality of receivers is configured to detect a low to medium frequency signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An underground communication system, the system comprising:
 a low to medium frequency transmitter, the transmitter comprising:
 an output coupler; 
 a signal selection unit; 
 wherein the transmitter is operable to generate a low to medium frequency signal; 
   a plurality of receivers, the plurality of receivers each comprising:
 an antenna; 
 at least one sensory output unit; 
 wherein the plurality of receivers is configured to detect a low to medium frequency signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The underground communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter further comprises:
 an input unit;   a microcontroller;   a modulator;   an amplifier.   
     
     
         3 . The underground communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter output coupler is one of a magnetic antenna, inductive clamp, or galvanic electrical connection. 
     
     
         4 . The underground communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless receiver antenna further comprises a coil of wire on a ferrite core. 
     
     
         5 . The underground communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is configured to send a signal to the at least one wireless receiver, the signal being between 30 kHz to 300 kHz, or between about 300 kHz and about 3 MHz, or between about 30 kHz and about 3 MHz. 
     
     
         6 . The underground communication system of  claim 5 , wherein the transmitter output coupler is configured to be positioned beneath a surface of an earth, and the signal is configured to propagate beneath the surface of the earth through parasitic propagation of man-made metallic items. 
     
     
         7 . The underground communication system of  claim 6 , wherein at least some of the plurality of receivers further comprise an accessory unit, the accessory unit having a transmitter configured to transmit a unique identifier for the receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The underground communication system of  claim 7 , wherein the unique identifier is at least partially determined by an identified signal transmission. 
     
     
         9 . The underground communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensory output unit comprises one or more of an audio output, a visual output, or a tactile output. 
     
     
         10 . The underground communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal selection unit comprises a manual signal selection unit. 
     
     
         11 . The underground communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal selection unit comprises an automatic signal selection unit. 
     
     
         12 . A method of electronic communication in an underground environment, the method comprising:
 selecting a signal to transmit to at least one receiver located in the underground environment;   transmitting the selected signal as a low to medium frequency signal to of the at least one receiver located in the underground environment, the transmitting including propagating the selected signal through parasitic propagation in man-made metallic items located in the underground environment.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one receiver includes a plurality of receivers, the method further comprising:
 parsing the plurality of receivers into at least two groups of receivers;   selecting a first signal to send to a first of the at least two groups of receivers;   selecting a second signal to send to a second of the at least two groups of receivers;   transmitting the first and second signals as low to medium frequency signals to the first and second groups of receivers.   
     
     
         14 . A method for receiving an underground communication, the method comprising:
 selectively listening for a signal transmission;   receiving more than one signal transmission;   filtering the signal transmissions;   identifying the appropriate signal transmissions;   deciphering the identified signal transmission;   taking one or more predetermined responses based at least in part on the identified signal transmission.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 activating one or more sensory output units based at least in part on the deciphered signal transmission.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 taking no action based at least in part on the deciphered signal transmission;   resuming selectively listening for a signal transmission.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the signal is a low to medium frequency signal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined response is a data transmission through an accessory transmitter. 
     
     
         19 . A method to reduce noise in data transmission, the method comprising:
 receiving one or more signals;   parsing a frequency range of the one or more signals;   determining a time length of the parsed frequency signal;   implementing one or more predetermined actions based at least in part on the frequency range and signal length.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 determining if the signal frequency is a fixed frequency deviation low signal or a fixed frequency deviation high signal.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 setting a first predetermined time period to a first data bit;   assigning the first data bit to a signal in a first signal frequency for a first predetermined time period.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 setting a second predetermined time period to a second data bit;   assigning the second data bit to a signal in a first signal frequency for a first predetermined time period.